Carisbrooke Abbey

by Amanda Grange

"An absorbing and enjoyable read." HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY REVIEW MAGAZINE When Miss Hilary Wentworth takes up an appointment at Carisbrooke Abbey, little does she suspect it will lead her into a whirlwind of mystery and suspense. Her petulant employer, Lord Marcus Carisbrooke, is as enigmatic as one of the heroes from her favourite Gothic romance novels. Yet behind his gruff manner she senses a deep and abiding pain. As Marcus's brittle exterior dissolves, Hilary catches a glimpse of the man beneath. But when she discovers the secret that haunts the Abbey, it puts them both in terrible danger - a danger they might never escape.

Genres: Romance, Gothic, Historical, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2003

About the author

Amanda Grange was born in Yorkshire and spent her teenage years reading Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer whilst also finding time to study music at Nottingham University. She has had twenty-five novels published including six Jane Austen retellings, which look at events from the heroes' points of view. She has also had two books published under different names: Murder at Whitegates Manor (as Eleanor Tyler; a Regency cosy crime murder mystery) and The Rake (as Amy Watson; a very light and frothy Regency romance).

Woman said of Mr Darcy's Diary: "Lots of fun, this is the tale behind the alpha male," whilst The Washington Post called Mr Knightley's Diary "affectionate". The Historical Novels Review made Captain Wentworth's Diary an Editors' Choice, remarking, "Amanda Grange has hit upon a winning formula."

Austenblog declared that Colonel Brandon's Diary was "the best book yet in her series of heroes' diaries."

Amanda Grange now lives in Cheshire. Her profile photo was taken at the Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton. The museum is well worth a visit!

You can find out more by visiting her website at http://www.amandagrange.com You can also follow her on Twitter @hromanceuk and find her on Facebook

Reviews

[Bettielee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish. I liked the beginning but it turned into a terrible romance with overly gushy, repetetive writing and ridiculously behaved characters. Very obviously a Jane Eyre inspiration, and very predictable. Got 44% of the way through.

I feel bad because I LOVE AMANDA GRANGE. Her Jane Austen continuations and rewrites are amazing. I ADORE the Austen diary series from the hero's perspective. But this was bad.

[Anmol · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Jane Eyre I was a bit worried on reading such a retelling. But I’m glad I still took this chance I really enjoyed the twists and for me personally I totally didn’t suspect who the villain was. A great read by this author

[Jess Swann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alors comment dire ? Je pense que ce roman est sans doute un hommage à Northanger Abbey et/ou Jane Eyre, néanmoins, je n’ai pas été séduite par l’histoire hyper prévisible. On est dans la romance gothique à deux sous où l’héroïne et le héros tombent amoureux au première regard avec un background maladie/folie… Je ne sais pas si c’est parce que j’ai l’habitude de lire ce type de romans, mais j’ai tout trouvé hyper prévisible depuis le personnage d’Esmeralda jusqu’à celui du cousin… La « prétendante » officielle du Lord est un cliché à elle seule (impression renforcée par le personnage de sa mère) et quand à la « révélation » finale sur les origines du héros, elle était tellement évidente que j’en ai ri… Mis à part ça, je reconnais que le tout est bien écrit et plaisant à lire mais ça manque de sel et de surprise.


Ce que j’aime : le tout est agréable à suivre


Ce que j’aime moins : le manque total de surprise et/ou d’imagination dans l’histoire qui suit un déroulé classico/classique. Le peu de psychologie des personnages


En bref : Une petite romance victorienne qui cherche à imiter les grands classiques du genre mais qui échoue en se montrant trop prévisible et dont les personnages manquent de nuance. Agréable à lire pour passer le temps mais sans plus


Ma note :



5/10

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this novel because it is inspired by Jane Eyre, and as a retelling it does a great job. The character development is a little shallow, and the romance starts quickly, but Hilary is a strong, intelligent character who is clearly the kind of woman Marcus Carisbrooke needs. And for once both Hilary and Marcus are described as not very pretty/handsome! Just like in Jane Eyre. The story does follow the basic plot of Jane Eyre, but there are many interesting changes and ideas that kept the story fresh and suspenseful. Marcus Carisbrooke's secret was especially unpredictable and a brilliant change totally in keeping with the character. And it is a secret that could definitely keep the two apart.

Although Hilary and Marcus's love runs deep too quickly for my taste, there is a lot of chemistry and tension, and it makes a very enjoyable read. There is another mystery in this story than just Marcus's secret, and it makes a wonderful addition to the story. I absolutely couldn't put the book down during the final few chapters. This story is well-written, romantic suspense with enough inventive twists to distinguish it from most straightforward Jane Eyre retellings.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the greatest but not terrible either. The romance really required me to suspend my disbelief, it was so unrealistic, even for this genre. The mystery was rather suspenseful and the plot twists were unexpected. The best part about this book though was that the romance was between two people described as plain and not handsome, and yet to each other they were beautiful. That, to me, is reality and it was refreshing to find in a Gothic Regency story.

[Pointsandwheels · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is Jane Eyre with a librarian instead of a governess, except that Jane has far more depth of personality. It wasn't a terrible book (I finished it, after all.) The writing is pleasant, and the reader is not asked for much. But there was nothing, nothing surprising or interesting in this book. It is an archtypical Gothic, and there is nothing more to be said.

[Brandy Keippala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm hoping this doesn't turn out to be a typical "romance" book. It was a blind grab from the available kindle library books. So far it is decent and interesting. It wasn't a typical romance. Sure it was a love story, which closely resembled Jane Eyre, but still good enough for a fun read.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intriguing story! Once I had started it was really hard to put down!! I really couldn't tell where it was all heading - love books like that! It was fun to read a more gothic/mystery romance of Grange's. Can't wait for the next one!

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is inspired by Jane Eyre. I liked this story by Amanda Grange, but it didn't grab me as much as some of her other books. It was still enjoyable and an interesting take on one of my favorite stories.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like Grange's other books, Carisbrooke Abbey was cute and clean. It was a simple read, but it was entertaining and an easy read. I really enjoyed it. If you like Grange's other books, you'll enjoy this one as well. I just love that her books are always SO CLEAN! Nothing to worry about here.

[Pagent99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected

This book was well written, but ran more along the lines of a Chaŕlotte Bronte tale than a Jane Austen play of manners. There was too much angst for our hero. The drama was too much and went on for too long. Suitable for all ages.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspense romance novel. Clean, and I enjoyed the plot. It is kind of like Jane Eyre a little tiny bit.

[Alison · Rating 1 out of 5]

A sad attempt at retelling Jane Erye.

[Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre as in characters and setting, yet I found it delightful and heart-warming. Could have read more ;)

[Hopefulpuffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Not horrible but certainly not great. I'm glad it was a library ebook.

[Marie Nicholl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent gothic romance. Has all of the elements. A bit predictable, but fun escapism.

[Hafiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 2003.
Now on Kindle as "One night at the Abbey"
Plain Jane heroine.